At least 53 people have died so far of viral diseases like malaria and typhoid in Changki village of Mokokchung district in Nagaland.

Official sources said the Changki, Longjang and Longsa areas of Mokokchung district and Tazit area of Mon district were the worst affected areas where the epidemic was spreading fast. Similar types of viral fever were also reported from Workha, Phek and Dimapur districts. But, the situation in Changki village was most alarming where the diseases had taken an epidemic form. All the 53 deaths were reported from the village. As the reports of casualty figures were yet to arrive from the affected areas of other districts, the toll was expected to rise. Unconfirmed reports put the toll at double the confirmed figures.